PITTSBURGH - If the Leafs hope that Nazem Kadri can shut down Sidney Crosby here on Saturday night, they might have another thing coming.

As the Leafs centre continues to evolve as a solid defensive player and draws the role of shutdown guy for coach Mike Babcock, he has become increasingly more difficult to play against.

Most recently, he completely smothered Edmonton star Connor McDavid in a big Leafs win at the Air Canada Centre. But as Penguins coach Mike Sullivan pointed out on Saturday, Crosby is a different beast.

“I’m sure over the past decade there has been a lot of coaches that have tried to limit his effectiveness because he’s that good of a player,” Sullivan said. “Most teams obviously pay attention to him. He’s getting the top match ups and teams are trying to limit his effectiveness.

“But Sid finds ways to play through all that stuff. He’s a highly competitive guy and he has the ability to play the game different ways. He can beat you with skill and he can beat you with strength and power.”

The Penguins, who lost their first home game of the season this past Thursday, are forging ahead in defence of their Stanley Cup title. Entering Saturday’s contest here at the PPG Paints Arena, the Pens are tied for second in the Eastern Conference trailing only the red-hot Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby, who has missed six games due to concussion issues, would appear to be back in form, with nine goals and two assists in eight contests.

It’s expected Babcock will assign Kadri to stifle No. 87 on Saturday, another challenge for the feisty Leaf.

Rest assured that Sullivan is well aware of what Kadri brings, should that be the matchup.

“One of the things that makes Sid as good as he is is his ability to play against any tactics,” Sullivan said. “He can play any kind of game. A speed game. A power game. He’s every bit as good in the trenches as he is off the rush.”

While the Penguins have been dynamite at home (6-1-1), the Leafs have struggled on the road with a 1-3-3 record. Adding to the challenge is the fact they are playing the second half of a back-to-back having beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-3 at home on Friday.

The Penguins are 7-0-1 in their past eight meetings with the Leafs, the lone defeat being a shootout loss here on Dec. 30, 2015.

Sullivan said that Matt Murray, who led the Pens on their Cup run last spring, will get the start. The Leafs did not have a game-day skate here, but on Friday Babcock said it will be a game time decision on who is in the Toronto net. Starter Freddy Andersen played Friday in Toronto.

The Leafs will get another chance to face former teammate, Phil Kessel, who has three goals and 10 assists in 14 games. Sullivan said the noted sniper has improved considerably in his full season and change as a Penguin.

“I think Phil’s game has really evolved since he’s been here in terms of how he needs to play in order to be successful,” Sullivan said. “He has managed to adapt to this team’s identity and how we are trying to play.

“He’s a shooting threat from anywhere on the rink. He’ dangerous off the rush and his play away from the puck has really improved. His willingness to play in the battle areas at both ends of the rink has helped us become a harder team to play against.

“That’s a credit to him. He’s been an important part of this team here and will continue to be going forward.”